Portsmouth FC risk 'eruption' from fans amid John Mousinho, Bristol City bombshell | OneFootball

The 40-year-old has been linked with the vacant Bristol City job.

Portsmouth may have secured their Championship status for another season, but they are now at risk of losing the man who guided them back to the second tier.

John Mousinho took Pompey up from League One in his first full season as manager and has since avoided relegation on two occasions, mounting a superb end-of-season run to do so this campaign.

However, it has been reported that rivals Bristol City have held talks with Mousinho to take the reins at Ashton Gate following the departure of caretaker boss Roy Hodgson.

It would be safe to say that the news has not gone down well with supporters of the South Coast club, and some are demanding answers heading into the summer.

Would Bristol City move be a step-up for John Mousinho?

Having sacked Gerhard Struber in late March, former England boss Hodgson was tasked with finishing the season strongly for Bristol City and setting high expectations going into the summer.

The Robins finished the campaign in 12th, but it promised so much more as the club was in contention to finish in the top six and challenge for promotion via the play-offs.

Mousinho has not been in the game long as a manager, but has emerged as a potential candidate, following his success at Fratton Park.

However, FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis does not believe a move to Ashton Gate would be seen as progress for the 40-year-old.

"Extremely disappointing news to read, but somewhat anticipated, I suppose," he told Football League World.

"Look, I sat down here a couple of weeks ago, and I described the potential move of Mousinho leaving Pompey to go to Bristol City as a sideways move.

"Now, this should be the case, because Pompey should be in a position to offer the same ambitions and the same targets and promises as Bristol City."

Militos then went on to point out why he believes the Fratton Park club are in fact a bigger club than the Robins.

"We're by far, and with all due respect to Bristol City, by the way, nothing against Bristol City, of course, but we've got a way larger fan base, a way richer history, so none of that compares to them."

Why might Mousinho be tempted to leave Portsmouth for Ashton Gate?

While Pompey has a richer history in terms of success and support, recent history would tell you that Bristol City has enjoyed greater times of late.

Although the Robins do not boast two top-flight titles and an FA Cup triumph, they have been an established Championship club for 11 years and are better poised for promotion.

"In terms of infrastructure, in terms of the fundamentals that are set behind the scenes, they're light years ahead of us, or at least that's what it looks like, and that's extremely disappointing," he continued.

He then referenced a recent meeting Mousinho held with the board to discuss the club's future, which pointed towards him remaining at Fratton Park.

"He said that there is alignment in terms of where this club wants to head between him and the owners, that there is a common agreement that the club needs to now enter a stage where they start to take some bigger decisions.

"But the fact that our manager, who has publicly stated, we shouldn't forget this, he's publicly stated that he wants to stay here, that he wants to build the club, he's willing to stay here for many years."

Mousinho's departure could cause uproar at Fratton Park

After all that the 40-year-old has achieved on the South Coast and all that he has said about remaining at the club, supporters might understandably be baffled if he were allowed to leave.

Mousinho's current contract expires in 2028, although that means nothing in football as clubs can buy managers out of their deals and pay compensation if necessary.

Indeed, if Pompey were to allow their man to leave, then Militos expects there to be an outpouring of emotion that could spark a serious backlash from fans.

"I'm still keeping my cards close to me, but if this happens, the eruption and the reaction from everyone will be crazy and rightfully so," he added.

Given the outrage amongst supporters, Militos has suggested what action Portsmouth should now take to rectify the situation and put fans at ease.

"We need a public announcement or a public declaration of what's going on, because there should be one and very, very soon as well, because this thing cannot drag on for the entire summer.

"This thing has to be done and over with as soon as possible, over the next few days. It cannot continue throughout the course of the summer, so there has to be a public announcement of some sort declaring the whole situation."

Of course, it must be stated that at this point, there have only been reports of talks, while other candidates, such as Steve Cooper and Steven Gerrard, have also been linked.